Drying and conditioning machine



T. ALLSOP AND W. W. SIBSON.

DRYING AND CONDITIONING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED FEB. ISI/191D.

Patented My 27, 1919.

2 SHEETSSHEET IA ZIM/Z132 T. ALLSOP AND W. W. SIBSON.

DRYING AND CONDITIONING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED FEB.19.1919

1,304,645, Patented May 27, 1919.

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UNITED sTATEs PATENT oEEIcE.

THOMAS ALLSOP AND WALTER W. SIBSON, 0F

ASSIGNORS T0 THE PHILADELPHIA PHILADELPHIA," PENNSYLVANIA, DRYING- MACHINERY COMPANY, OF GER- MAN TOWN, PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA, A CORPORATION OF PEN N SYL- VANIA.

i DRYING- AND CONDITIONING MACHINE.

To all whom t may concern:

Be it known that we, THOMAS ALLsoP and WALTER W. SIBsoN, citizens of the United States, residing in the city and county of Philadelphia and State of Pennsylvania, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Drying 'and Conditioning Machines, whereof lthe following is a speciiication, reference being had to the accompanying drawings.

he invention relates to machines employed in treating materials such as-yarn, etc., to place them in the proper condition for use in the course of .being manufactured into textile fabrics. Such requirements not only necessitate the ordinary drying operation, for example, after dyeing or bleaching, but the materials must also be conditioned in order to absorb the requisite amount of moisture to render them sufficiently pliable in running through the various stages of manufacture.

In attaining this objective, the machine constructed according to our invention embodies in a -unitary structure, a chamber which may be employed alternatively either for`drying or cooling, according to particu- `lar requirements, and a second chambery for the conditioning of the materials, or the one may be employed for drying only, and the other for cooling and conditioning.

Our invention also comprehends Ameans wlr'ereby the outside atmosphere may be employed in effecting the cooling operation,

and also means for re-circulation of a proportionate amount of the fresh air durmg passage through the machine.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure I, is afront elevation of a drying and conditioning machine conveniently illustrating our'invention. Y

Fig. II,- is lan end elevation of thesame as viewed from the right of Fig. v I, and

Fig. III, is a 'central longitudinal section through the machine.

As herein shown, the invention consists of an inclosureA 1, having a structural steel skeleton which serves to support the inclosing walls which are preferably formed of panels 2, of sheet metal, having interposed layers of thermo-insulating material such as asbestos or the like. known fire proof construction' and may be -Specification of Letters Patent. Patented l:May 27, 1919 Application mea February 19, 1919. serial No. 278,087. l

These are of 'wellattached in any convenient manner. As shown in Fig. III, of the drawings, the inclosure l, is laterally divided by a central partition 3, into two compartments respectively indicated by the numerals 4, and 5. Said compartments are partly bounded by sloping roof portions 6 6, inclined downwardly toward' the central partition 3, in *symmetrical relation thereto. While the partition 3,' is illustrated only conventionally herein, in actual vpractice it is so constructed 'as to be thermo-insulating, whereby cross radiation between the chambers 4;, and 5, is absolutely prevented.

The two sections may be employed for different purposes, but for choice of illustration, the one at the left, indicated at 4,

4 has been arranged -as a drying or cooling Compartment, While the one at the right, designated at 5, has been designed to serve as a conditioning compartment.

A transverse vertical partition- 7, subdivides compartment 4, thereby affording in addition to a main chamber 8, a smaller auxiliary chamber 9. The main chamber is of ample proportions to receive trucks or other apparatus supporting the materials to be treated and to thisend has been provided, as shown in Fig. I, with Adoors 101-10. The smaller chamber 9, may be employed for they accommodation of any adjunctive devices such asv heating coils 11, which may or may not be employed,A depending entirely upon the treatment detain conditions as a by-pass, functional 1n shunting a portion of the air 1n the compartment for reclrculation 1n a manner to be described later.

'Near its top, and inline with the longitudinal center of the machine, thepartition 47, is provided with a circular opening 12,

sired.- Chamberv 9, also serves under ce1'-` sov Inter-com- '1 by a damper 17. This damper is hingedat 18, and is adjustable from Without the inclosure by means of a chain or cord 19,

passing over a pulley 20. After the desired adjustment has been obtained, the chain 19, may be detachably secured upon the exterior of the machine by any convenient means.

A conduit 21, communicating with the outside air enters the chamber 8, at the top, and a discharge conduit 23, leads from the latter at the bottom. These conduits are respectively provided with controlling dampers 22, and 24. The continuous rotation of the fan 13, causes the cool air to be sucked'into the chamber 8, through the conduit 21, under control of damper 22, so that in addition to the re-circulation already described, a proportionate amount of fresh air is constantly admitted and the displaced portion exhausted through the discharge conduit 23. By the relative adjustment of dampers 22, and 24, these proportions may be varied in accordance with the most exacting requirements of each of the different materials treated. Exterior communication may be completely shut off by closing the dampers 22, and 24, in the event of which the air entrapped in the chamber would be constantly re-circulated, but in the illustration of Fig. III, these dampers are slightly open, and the arrows indicate the complex air circuits under these conditions.

In a manner similar to that previously described in connection with compartment 4, the conditioning compartment 5, is also subdivided by a partition 25, to afford in connection with a main chamber 28, a smaller auxiliary chamber 29, in this instance for the accommodation of a heating coil 30, and a humidifying apparatus comprehensively indicated at 31. The larger chamber 28, is of the same size as the chamber 8, for the accommodation of trucks loaded with the material for treatment and is similarly provided with doors 32-32. See Fig-I. Circulation in this compartment of the machine is effected by means of a fan 33, centrally located in an opening 34, at the top of partition 25, and intercommunication between the two chambers established through an opening 35, at the bottom of said partition.

The heating means consists of a coil or coils 30, of pipe entering at 36, in Fig. II, and leaving at 37. The temperature in the compartment is maintained at the proper predetermined degree through the instrumentality of a thermostat diagrammatically represented at 38, and connected through any convenient leverage system with a controlling valve 39, in the heating pipe 30. The humidifying apparatus 31, maybe of any well-known construction. As herein shown it comprises a series of atomizing nozzles 40, preferably grouped for symmetrical distribution in the chamber 29. These no'zzles are supplied with steam or air and water through the pipes 41, and 42, having hand controlling valves 43, and 44, respectively. Flash plates 45, 45, coperate with nozzles 40, in facilitating atomization. By the proper relative adjustment of these valves, any desired condition of humidificati-on may be obtained, depending entirely upon the requirements of the goods under treatment.

Compartment 5, is also provided with an exhaust conduit 50, communicating with the outside atmosphere. This conduit 50, is controlled by a damper 51, which may be adjusted to permit a proportionate discharge of the humidiied air from the compartment 5, as indicated by the arrows.

The circulating fans 13, and 33, are mounted upon a common driving shaft 52, having the usual tight and loose pulleys 53, and 54. This shaft is journaled at its ends in bearings 55, and 56, fixed to vertical T- bars 57 (see Fig. III), comprised by the structural framework of the machine, and at the center in a bearing 58. Said bearing is located in the interspace between the sloping roof portions 6, and mounted in a chan nel 59, extending transversely of the machine. abo-ve the central partition 2. This channel is also a part of the structural skeleton and as shown in Figs. I, and II, is supported by the longitudinal angle bars 60. It will be noted from the direction of the circuits indicated by the arrows in Fig. III, that the actions of the fans are in direct opposition, so that the corresponding components of the longitudinal thrust upon the shaft will neutralize each other and as a consequence perfect equilibrium established.

The chambers 8, and 28, are further provided with slotted protective diaphragms or sub-ceilings 65, and 66, respectively. These are functional in preventing the goods under treatment from being drawn into the fans and also serve t-o subdivide the air currents during circulation.

In actual practice, the machine constructed according to our invention lends itself readily to various modifications in the methods of the treatment of the materials. For example, if it be desired first to dry the materials subsequent to bleaching or dyeing, the truck is run into chamber 8, the dampers 22, and 24, regulated to the desired extent, and steam, to the coils turned on. The constant re-circulation of the heated air will, in this event, serve to effectively dry the materials in being forced. through the same. After the drying treatment has been completed, in 4order to change the temperaturc of the materials to the proper degree for conditioning, it is necessary to subjectthe same to a cooling treatment which is effected by simply shutting oli' the steam supply to coils and opening the dampers 22, and 24, and thereby permit the influx of external air underthe action of the fan 13, with provisions for a certain amount of re-circulation under control ofv damper 17, and exhaust damper 24, as already explained. After the material is cooled to the required degree, the truck is withdrawn fronrchamber 8, and run into chamber 28, for conditioning, the re-circulation of the humidied air causing thorough penetration in'accomplishingthe desired end. v

In the treatment of certain classes of goods, the dryingoperation may be entirely dispensed with, thereby obviating the necessity of the heating coil 11, and the process begun with the cooling and subsequently completed by the conditloning operation.

It will thus be seen that our invention may be "adapted to various uses .and we, therefore,v do not wish to limit ourselves to thepprecise details of construction and arrangement Aherein shown, since Various main chamber and an auxiliary chamber;

means located in each compartment for eirculating the air between the said main and auxiliary chambers; and means 4for permitting the exhaust of a proportionate amount of the air circulated in each of said compartments. 2. A machine of the class described comprising, in aunitary'structure, a drying and cooling compartment, and a conditioning compartment; a separating partition subdividing each of said compartments into a main chamber and an auxiliary chamber;-

means located in each compartment for circulating the air between lthe said main and auxiliary chambers; a lvalved fresh air conduit leading to the said heating and cooling compartment; a valved exhaust conduit K leading from the said drying and cooling compartment; and means for controlling the re-circulation of a proportionate amount of the fresh air drawn into said compartment.A

3. A -machine of the cladescribed comprising, in a unitary structure, a drying and cooling compartment, and a conditioning compartment; a separating partition subdividing each of said compartments into a mainvchamber and an auxiliary chamber; means located in each compartment for cirwhereby fresh air drawn into said drying and cooling compartment; a diaphragm interrupting the auxiliary chamber of the drying and cooling compartment; an adjustable damper controlling an openin in said diaphragm, a proportionate amount of the compartment may be re-circulated.

4. A machine of the class described comprising, in a unitary structure, a drying and cooling compartment, and a conditioning main chamber and an vauxiliary chamber;

' means located in each compartmentl for circulating the air' between the Said main and auxiliary chambers; heating coils located in the auxiliary chamber of the drying and cooling compartment; heating and humidi` fying means located. in the auxiliary chamber of the conditioning compartment.

5. -A machine of the class described comprising, in a unitary structure, a drying and cooling compartment, and a conditioning compartment; a separating partition subdividing each of said compartments into a main chamber and an auxiliary chamber;

means located in each compartment for circulating the air between the said main and auxiliary chambers; heating coils located inthe auxiliary chamber of the drying and cooling compartment; heating and humidifying means located in the auxiliary chamber of the conditioning compartment; andv thermostatic means 'for controlling the temperature in the said conditioning compartv ment.

6. A machine of the class described, comprising, in a unitary structure, a drying and cooling compartment, and a conditioning compartment, a separating partition subdividing each of said compartments into a main chamber and an auxiliary chamber, rotary .fans located in said partitions, and adapted to circulate the air between the respeotive main andauxiliary chambers; and slotted protective diaphragms spanning said nain chambers in proximity to said rotary In testimony whereof we have hereunto set our hands at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, this fourth day of-February 1918.'

Witnesses: Y

JAMES -I-I. BELL, E. L FULLERTON. 

